1.01.2011

new year's day

I love to read Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project blog and website. She wrote a book that started out as a blog and became a New York Times bestseller.

I'm thinking about making some New Year's resolutions - just for the sake of tradition - and because the date 1-1-11 just requires it.

Here's Gretchen's resolution-making advice:

Five questions to help you make effective New Year's resolutions.

Forty-four percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and I know I always do. I’m more inclined to make resolutions than ever, in fact, because if my happiness project has convinced me of anything, it has convinced me that resolutions – made right – can make a huge difference in boosting happiness.

So how do you resolve well? This is trickier than it sounds. Here are some tips for making your resolutions as effective as possible. Remember, right now, you’re in the planning stage. Don’t feel like you have to do anything yet! Just start thinking about what would make 2011 a happier year.

1. Ask: “What would make me happier?” It might having more of something good – more fun with friends, more time for a hobby. It might be less of something bad – less yelling at your kids, less nagging of your spouse. It might be fixing something that doesn’t feel right – more time spent volunteering, more time doing something to make someone else happier. Or maybe you need to get an atmosphere of growth in your life by learning something new. (These questions relate to the First Splendid Truth.)

2. Ask: “What is a concrete action that would bring about change?” One common problem is that people make abstract resolutions, which are hard to keep. “Be more optimistic,” “Find more joy in life,” “Enjoy now,” are resolutions that are hard to measure and therefore difficult to keep. Instead, look for a specific, measurable action. “Distract myself with fun music when I’m feeling gloomy,” “Watch at least one movie each week,” “Buy a lovely plant for my desk” are resolutions that will carry you toward those abstract goals.

3. Ask: “Am I a ‘yes’ resolver or a ‘no’ resolver?” Some people resent negative resolutions. They dislike hearing “don’t” or “stop” (even from themselves) or adding to their list of chores. If this describes you, try to find positive resolutions: “Take that dance class,” “Have lunch with a friend once a week.” Or maybe you respond well to “no.” I actually do better with "no" resolutions; this may be related to the abstainer/moderator split. A lot of my resolutions are aimed at getting me to stop doing something, or to do something I don’t really want to do -- such as Don't expect gold stars. There’s no right way to make a resolution, but it’s important to know what works for you. As always, the secret is to know your own nature.

4. Ask: “Am I starting small enough?” Many people make super-ambitious resolutions and then drop them, feeling defeated, before January is over. Start small! We tend to over-estimate what we can do over a short time and under-estimate what we can do over a long time, if we make consistent, small steps. If you’re going to resolve to start exercising (one of the most popular resolutions), don’t resolve to go to the gym for an hour every day before work. Start by going for a ten-minute walk at lunch or marching in place once a day during the commercial breaks in your favorite TV show. Little accomplishments provide energy for bigger challenges. Push yourself too hard and you may screech to a halt.

5. Ask: “How am I going to hold myself accountable?” Accountability is the secret to sticking to resolutions. That’s why groups like AA and Weight Watchers are effective. There are many ways to hold yourself accountable; for example, I keep a Resolutions Chart. Accountability is why #2 is so important. If your resolution is too vague, it’s hard to measure whether you’ve been keeping it. A resolution to “Eat healthier” is harder to track than “Eat salad for lunch three times a week.”

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About Me

WeLcome!

I call my blog BuRnt CooKiEs because I love to bake cookies...but just can't quite keep focused on the task at hand. Often, the last batch of cookies ends up slightly overdone or downright burned (burnt?!). What distracts me? Checking Instagram, posting on my blog, writing in my online journal. And Pinterest and all those blogs that I love to read. Since I like to shop, I might find myself at the mall (it's really fun to be halfway across town and remember about the cookies in the oven) or at the quilt shop picking up fabrics for my stash. Sometimes, I'm on a trip with my travel-obsessed husband, or, as in March 2011, in the middle of the earthquake in Tokyo! I scrapbook, make quilts, and often read The Wall Street Journal (paper edition, not digital) in the morning with a chocolate chip cookie and Diet Coke at hand. I have an amazing husband who keeps me on my toes learning new things and working out at the gym. We love nothing more than to be together. We have four kids who married awesome spouses and blessed us with seven darling grandkids. I'm distracted and busy and love it.

This blog is where I share a bit of myself - it's my writing place and my memories place. My favorite photos are here - both photos of my family and images of things I love from my journeys.

I'm a writer/editor/proofreader and consider myself a lucky girl because I have had fun jobs atKimberbell Designshelping with all things "Quilty" and atADORNit where we quilted and scrapped. I taught an online workshop for Big Picture Classescalled "Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas" and I share Christmas info and inspiration on the Cut the Crazy blogwhich my daughters and I (used to - lol) keep. Come visit us at cutthecrazy.blogspot.com.